With all the hard science we’ve publishing this week, I thought we could use a little fluff – here’s a striking picture of the iconic Pyramids of Giza from the inside of a nearby KFC.

Photo by eviljohnius.

Unless you’ve actually visited the archaeological site, or you’ve had the curiosity of checking it, you probably don’t realize just how close the site is to the city! Growing up, I had the impression that it’s in the middle of nowhere.

The Giza Necropolis (“pyramids of Giza”) is arguably the most famous archaeological site in the world, hosting the Pyramid of Khufu – the only one of the “7 wonders” which is still standing. The complex features the three pyramid complexes known as the Great Pyramids, the massive sculpture known as the Great Sphinx, several cemeteries, a workers village and an industrial complex.

The largest and oldest pyramid (the Pyramid of Khufu) was built over 4.000 years ago; it’s estimated that it was finished some time around 2560 BC. Initially at 146.5 metres (481 feet), the Great Pyramid was the tallest man-made structure in the world for over 3,800 years. Originally, the Great Pyramid was covered by casing stones that formed a smooth outer surface; what is seen today is the underlying core structure. Here is a picture of the entire complex:

Photograph by Robster1983 on Wikimedia Commons.

Oh, and here’s a small bonus – a picture of the pyramids from the Pizza Hut across the road.